Over the years, the definition of “medical necessity” has become interchangeable with “medical convenience.” And there’s no better example of this than birth, and its tedious list of interventions. The issues around interventions aren’t surprising when you realize that they were originally devised, prescribed, and pushed by male “experts.” Many believed that new medical instruments and processes…
Pregnancy & Birth
Meaningful Fourth Trimester Rituals to Mark the Transition into New Parenthood
Every new parent goes through something of an initiation during the monumental transition of the fourth trimester. Changes happen on a profoundly spiritual and psychological level right after having a baby. And many cultures around the world recognize this with some sort of rite of passage. These rites of passage are important for several different…
Postnatal Care: How To Truly Blossom as a Woman and Mother
Motherhood. An amazing, gorgeous, exhausting, empowering, emotional, and beautiful journey. A journey that we, as women, have been called to embrace and enjoy. A journey that is unique and personal. A journey that lasts a lifetime. In order to truly tap into your full being as a mother, you must understand the importance of practicing…
Gentle Parenting: Nesting Without a Nursery
Pregnancy reconnects us with some of nature’s most primal instincts. Just hearing the term nesting might bring the image to your mind of a beautiful round mama robin tirelessly building her nest in just the right spot. Most (but not all) pregnant women experience the nesting instinct, too. Even fathers-to-be aren’t immune to the uncontrollable urge…
Herbal Essentials for Nurturing Life
As parents, we all strive for a nurturing life. We strive to offer our closest loved ones the tender love and care that they need and deserve. Whether they’ve had a bad day and are in need of some extra gentleness or need their physical pains eased, it’s what parenthood – and family – is…
How to Choose a Breast Pump
Figuring out which breast pump will work best for you might feel challenging, especially considering how many options there are. But don’t worry – this advice on how to choose a breast pump will help you find the best pump for your situation. While breast milk has all the nutrients a baby needs during the…
Green Child’s 6th Annual Eco Baby Gear Guide Spring 2016
Looking for the best eco baby gear guide? From the moment we know a new little one is on the way, we plan and prepare for his or her arrival. While “things” may not be our niche, a few useful and sustainable tools can certainly help you along your parenting journey. We hope you enjoy…
Ask The Herbalist: Natural Remedies for Hemorrhoids
Q: Are there any natural remedies for hemorrhoids? I am really having issues with them, but I prefer to avoid over the counter treatments and I don’t want to resort to surgery. A: Hemorrhoids can be an unpleasant – but not uncommon – side effect of pregnancy or giving birth. There are several natural remedies…
Postpartum Care: The Healing Power of Rest and Lying-In With Your New Baby
Have you considered lying-in with your new baby? It’s the ultimate bonding experience for baby, and the ultimate act of postpartum care for yourself. When we talk about bringing baby home in America these days, it’s often discussed in a glossy magazine format. We need to have the Pinterest-perfect nursery ready (even if baby will be…
How to Create an Organized & Eco-friendly Nursery
Creating an eco-friendly nursery means keeping as many chemicals and unnatural by-products out of your baby’s space as possible. Even if you can’t address everything sustainably, your efforts toward creating a healthy, clean, non-toxic space will absolutely benefit the health of your new little one. Chemicals in carpets, furniture, mattresses, and even household dust are all contributing…
The Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy for Babies
It sounds more complicated than it is, but the benefits of Craniosacral Therapy for babies are many and they’re worth considering. In a complicated birth, a baby can face a number of stressful challenges on her journey into this world. Craniosacral therapy for babies may sound mysterious, but it can be tremendously beneficial to many newborns. Some…
The Secrets of a Blissful Birth
Giving birth is beautiful. The result of your nine-month journey has come down to this: Getting to meet your child, and being gifted life’s greatest present: motherhood. With that being said, birthing a baby can be stressful to your mind and body. However, there are practices you can learn to better improve your mental state…
The Best of Both Worlds: Natural Birth in a Private Suite
…Featuring the Karmanos Center for Natural Birth “Your body knows how to do this… your baby knows how to do this…” These are the words I find myself hypnotically saying at almost every birth, as I watch a mama dive deep into herself to bring her child into the world. Your body, when left alone…
In Your Loving Hands: The benefits of infant massage
Better health, improved sleep, increased bonding, and overall wellbeing…. these are some of the remarkable benefits of infant massage. We all hold the innate gift of a healing touch. Throughout history, from ancient to modern times, there are references to this most natural ability. With kind touch, we’re able to deeply connect to others, to…
How to Host an Eco Friendly Baby Shower
We never get tired of finding ways to make parties greener. An eco-friendly baby shower is no exception. There are so many ways – both new and old – to create a natural, healthy baby shower that helps the mother-to-be without harming Mother Earth. If there’s ever a perfect time to host an eco-friendly celebration,…
Serena Dyer on Growing up with Spiritual Parents, Attachment Parenting, and Her New Book
Natural parenting doesn’t always come… naturally. Some of us are still working through less than ideal habits and patterns that were handed to us by our own parents. And even for those of us with a healthy upbringing, it can be challenging to tune in and access our intuition in this noisy world. Imagine if…
Help! The Internet is Giving Me Pregnancy Anxiety!
Raise your hand if you’ve ever googled your way into an obsessive parenting frenzy. Whether it’s a strange pain during pregnancy or baby’s first fever, today you can access a million answers in mere moments. Some of the answers you find will put your mind instantly at ease. Others might just have you rushing to…
Prenatal Yoga for an Easier Natural Birth
You already know how yoga can help improve flexibility and calm your nerves. But, did you know, a prenatal yoga practice can also set you up for an easier birth? The National Institute of Health reports that mothers who practiced yoga during pregnancy experienced decreased preterm labor, fewer instances of low birth weight, and significantly…
Beyond Morning Sickness: Understanding Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Editor’s note: Our friend and occasional contributor, Jessica Martin-Weber mother of seven and founder of The Leaky Boob, candidly shares her experience with Hyperemesis Gravidarum. HG affects up to 2 percent of pregnancies and is a severe manifestation of morning sickness, causing frequent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Being careful not to jostle me, my…
Herbs During Pregnancy: What you can safely use and what to avoid
Many expecting mothers ask about the safety of herbs during pregnancy. The process of conception, gestation and birthing is the beginning of all things – the beginning of life. Is there a more natural process? To complement the ultimate natural process, doesn’t it make sense to remain as close to nature as possible? A great…
Small Person, Big Changes: Helping Older Siblings Cope with the New Baby
Introducing a new baby sibling can be a challenge for your older child or children. Positive Parenting expert Kelly Bartlett shares strategies for helping older siblings cope with the new baby to make the transition a smooth one. Adding a new baby sibling to the family is an exciting time for families. Children especially feel…
The Benefits of Reading to Your Baby in the Womb
You may think the only benefits of reading to your unborn baby are the relaxation and bonding you feel. But science shows that reading to baby in the womb helps develop early language learning. In small children, reading is proven to help with language development and increased word recognition. Reading can also create a positive bond…
The 2015 Pregnancy & Birth Issue of Green Child Magazine
Find everything you need for a healthy pregnancy, natural birth, and fourth trimester in our annual Pregnancy & Birth issue. Your favorite, trusted contributors are sharing advice on everything from encouraging your child through a new sibling transition and reading to your unborn baby to breastfeeding myths and avoiding anxiety during pregnancy. In our pregnancy…
Eco Spotlight On: Avishi Organics
During pregnancy, our bodies perform some amazing tricks. An increased sensitivity to gross smells, jumping from complete nausea to intense cravings in the same moment, and, of course, the ability to expand and create the room needed to safely grow a little one. This last little mind-blowing feat also conjures up thoughts of the inevitable…
